Method and apparatus for removing a bearing

ABSTRACT

A method for removing a bearing that is coupled to a prosthetic implant by a ring includes advancing a distal end of a removal tool in a first direction and into a slit formed in the ring. The ring can be caused to expand radially from engagement with the bearing. The distal end of the removal tool can be advanced in a second direction such that the removal tool engages the bearing. The distal end of the removal tool can be further advanced in the second direction such that the removal tool urges the bearing away from the prosthetic implant.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/553,624, filed Sep. 3, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of PCT/US2008/003045, filed Mar. 6, 2008, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/714,991, filed Mar. 7, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,572,294 issued Aug. 11, 2009. The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to implants and more particularly to a method and apparatus for removing an acetabular bearing.

INTRODUCTION

Traditional shoulder joint replacement provides a ball and socket implant with a metal ball replacing the humeral head and a glenoid socket attached to the scapula. The traditional ball and socket implant can work properly when the rotator cuff muscles are substantially intact and function to provide stability against displacement of the ball relative to the socket by the strong deltoid muscle during movement of the shoulder. Patients with rotator cuff impairment can be provided with a reverse ball and socket prosthesis in which the socket is attached to the humeral implant and the ball (“glenosphere”) is attached to the scapula. The reverse ball and socket prosthesis cooperates with the deltoid muscle to provide shoulder mobility, is sufficiently stable and does not rely on a functioning rotator cuff for stability. In some examples, the reverse ball and socket prosthesis can include a humeral tray and modular bearing. Modular bearings are often readily removable and, in such cases, they have the further advantage of facilitating revision surgery, which may become necessary in cases of traumatic injury or bearing surface wear, by enabling replacement of the bearing without removing the humeral tray. A need exists for a system to facilitate efficient removal of the bearing from the humeral tray.

SUMMARY

A method for removing a bearing that is coupled to a prosthetic implant by a ring includes advancing a distal end of a removal tool in a first direction and into a slit formed in the ring. The ring can be caused to expand radially from engagement with the bearing. The distal end of the removal tool can be advanced in a second direction such that the removal tool engages the bearing. The distal end of the removal tool can be further advanced in the second direction such that the removal tool urges the bearing away from the prosthetic implant.

Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiments of the disclosure, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system according to the present teachings including an acetabular cup assembly and a removal tool, the acetabular cup assembly including a cup, a bearing and a ring;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a distal end of the removal tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the distal end of the removal tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the acetabular cup assembly shown with the bearing in a locked position within the acetabular cup and the distal end of the removal tool initially engaged with a slit defined in the ring;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the acetabular cup assembly and removal tool subsequent to removal of the ring and bearing;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 shown with the distal end of the tool initially engaging the ring;

FIG. 7 is the sectional view of FIG. 6 shown with the distal end of the tool engaging the bearing;

FIG. 8 is the sectional view of FIG. 7 shown with the distal end of the tool tilted and urging the bearing away from the cup;

FIG. 9 is an exploded side perspective view of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a system according to additional features of the present teachings including an acetabular cup assembly and a removal tool, the acetabular cup including a cup, a bearing and a ring;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a notch formed in the acetabular cup of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the acetabular cup of FIG. 11 shown with the ring in an installed position;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the removal tool;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the distal end of the removal tool of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of the acetabular cup assembly shown with the bearing in a locked position within the acetabular cup and the distal end of the removal tool initially engaged with a slit defined in the ring;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the acetabular cup assembly and removal tool subsequent to removal of the ring and the bearing;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of the acetabular cup assembly;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the acetabular cup assembly taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17 shown with the removal tool inserted into the notch;

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a shoulder prosthesis assembly and removal tool according to additional features of the present teachings;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the shoulder prosthesis assembly and shown with the distal end of the tool initially engaging the ring;

FIG. 21 is the sectional view of FIG. 20 shown with the distal end of the tool engaging the bearing;

FIG. 22 is the sectional view of FIG. 21 shown with the distal end of the tool tilted and urging the bearing away from the humeral tray;

FIG. 23 is an exploded side perspective view illustrating additional components of the shoulder prosthesis assembly;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a system according to additional features of the present teachings including the shoulder prosthesis assembly of FIG. 19 and a removal tool according to additional features of the present teachings;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a notch formed in the humeral tray of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a partial perspective view of the humeral tray of FIG. 25 shown with the ring in an installed position;

FIG. 27 is a partial perspective view of the shoulder prosthesis assembly shown with the bearing in a locked position within the humeral tray and the distal end of the removal tool initially engaged with a slit defined in the ring;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the shoulder prosthesis assembly and removal tool subsequent to removal of the ring and the bearing;

FIG. 29 is a top view of the shoulder prosthesis assembly of FIG. 19; and

FIG. 30 is a sectional view of the shoulder prosthesis assembly of FIG. 24 shown with the removal tool inserted into the notch and the tool engaging the bearing subsequent to spreading of the ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

With initial reference to FIG. 1, a system for replacing a portion of a hip joint is shown and generally identified at reference 10. The system 10 can generally include an acetabular cup assembly 12 and a removal tool 14. The acetabular cup assembly 12 can include an acetabular cup 20, a liner or bearing 22 and a ring 24. As will become appreciated, the ring 24 can be adapted to retain the bearing 22 relative to the acetabular cup 20 in a locked position. The removal tool 14 can be adapted to engage the ring 24 and operatively spread the ring 24 to an unlocked position, and subsequently lever the bearing 22 away from the acetabular cup 20.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the acetabular cup assembly 12 will be further described. In general, the acetabular cup 20 may include a porous metal portion 26 and a solid metal portion 28. The porous metal portion 26 generally may be formed on an outer bone engaging surface 30 of the acetabular cup 20, while the solid metal portion 28 may be formed on an inner surface 32 (FIG. 5). The porous metal and solid metal portions 26 and 28, respectively, may comprise biocompatible metal, such as stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloys, and cobalt-chromium alloys. In one example, the porous metal portion 26 may be formed of porous metal defining about 60-70% porosity. In one example, the porous metal portion 26 can be sintered onto the solid metal portion 28. The solid metal portion 28 may define a solid rim 36 and a bearing engaging surface 38. In one example, the solid rim 36 may be defined entirely through a thickness of the acetabular cup 20 at the solid rim 36. While not specifically shown, an interface between the porous metal portion 26 and the solid metal portion 28 may comprise interlocking annular rings and pockets. A discussion of a similar acetabular cup may be found in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ [Atty. Doc. No. 5490-000410/CPD], which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The solid rim 36 can define a first interlocking portion 40. In the example shown, the first interlocking portion 40 is in the form of lobbed fingers 42 defined around an upper perimeter of the solid rim 36. The lobbed fingers 42 can be generally raised relative to an annular shoulder 44 (FIG. 5) defined around the solid rim 36. The solid metal portion 28 can further define an inboard annular groove 46 formed around the bearing engaging surface 38. The solid rim 36 can further include a first and second slot 50 and 52, respectively. In one example, the first and second slots 50 and 52 may be formed at diametrically opposing locations on the solid rim 36. The first slot 50 can include a sloped or ramped surface 54 (as best shown in FIG. 6). The ramped surface 54 can slope downward generally from an outboard portion to an inboard portion of the acetabular cup 20. The second slot 52 can define a surface generally parallel to the annular shoulder 44.

The bearing 22 will now be described in greater detail. The bearing 22 may be formed of polyethylene or other suitable bearing material. The bearing 22 can generally include an outer cup engaging surface 58 and an inner femoral component engaging surface 60. An outboard annular groove 62 can be formed around the outer cup engaging surface 58. The outer cup engaging surface 58 can be generally convex, while the inner femoral component engaging surface 60 can be generally concave. The bearing 22 can define a uniform thickness, below the outboard annular groove 62 (as viewed in FIG. 6) and can act as a bearing surface for a head 64 of a femoral component 66 (FIG. 9) so as to dissipate stresses over the entire bearing 22. A second interlocking portion 70 can be formed around a rim portion 72 of the bearing 22. In the example shown, the second interlocking portion 70 is in the form of complementary lobbed notches 74 defined around the rim portion 72. The first and second interlocking portions 40 and 70 can cooperatively mate in an assembled position (FIG. 4) such that the lobbed fingers 42 nest with the lobbed notches 74 and, therefore, inhibit rotational motion of the bearing 22 within the acetabular cup 20. In the particular example shown, the lobbed notches 74 outnumber the lobbed fingers 42 by a factor of two. It is appreciated that other configurations may be used.

The ring 24 will now be described in greater detail. The ring 24 may be formed of any suitable biocompatible material. In one example, the ring 24 may be formed of similar material found in the locking ring offered in the RingLoc® system offered by Biomet, Inc., of Warsaw, Ind. The ring 24 can generally define a radial body 78 defining a discontinuation or slit 80. As will become appreciated, the material properties of the ring 24 should be selected such that the ring 24 is permitted to flex in a radial direction toward its outer perimeter upon an applied force and return to a static position upon removal of the force.

A pair of fingers 82 can be formed at opposing portions of the slit 80. The fingers 82 can extend outboard relative to a circumferential outer surface of the radial body 78. An annular protrusion 84 can be integrally formed on the ring 24. In one example, the annular protrusion 84 can be diametrically opposed to the fingers 82. As explained, the ring 24 can be adapted to locate within the inboard annular groove 46 of the acetabular cup 20. In the locked position, the inboard annular groove 46 of the acetabular cup 20 is operable to snapingly receive the ring 24 to secure the bearing 22 within the concave surface of the acetabular cup 20. Explained further, the ring 24 can be adapted to partially nest within the inboard annular groove 46 of the acetabular cup 20 and, concurrently, partially nest within the outboard annular groove 62 of the bearing 22 in the locked position. The annular protrusion 84 of the ring 24 can nest within the second slot 52. In this way, the ring 24 may be discouraged from rotating around a longitudinal axis of the acetabular cup 20.

With reference now to FIGS. 1-3, the removal tool 14 will be described in greater detail. In general, the removal tool 14 can include a longitudinal body 90 having a proximal end 92 and a distal end 94. The proximal end 92 can include a handle 96 disposed thereon. The distal end 94 can include an engaging portion 98. In one example, the engaging portion 98 can be defined at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the longitudinal body 90. The longitudinal body 90 can define a shaft 100 extending between the handle 96 and the distal end 94.

The distal end 94 can further define an upper portion 104 (FIG. 2) and a lower portion 106 (FIG. 3). The lower portion 106 can define a ring engaging portion 110 having a ring engaging surface 112. A terminal end 114 of the removal tool 14 can define a bearing engaging portion 118 having a bearing engaging surface 120. The distal end 94 can include an intermediate section 122 defined between the longitudinal body 90 and a sloped section 124.

The ring engaging surface 112 can be further defined by a pair of outwardly ramped surfaces 128. The outwardly ramped surfaces 128 can slope generally outward from the lower portion 106 toward the upper portion 104.

An exemplary method of removing the ring 24 and bearing 22 with the removal tool 14 will now be described. With initial reference to FIG. 4, the acetabular cup assembly 12 is shown with the ring 24 nested within the inboard annular groove 46 of the acetabular cup 20 and the bearing 22 secured within the bearing engaging surface 38 of the acetabular cup 20 (locked position). As shown, one of the lobbed notches 74 of the bearing 22 can provide access to an upper surface of the ring 24 at the pair of fingers 82. Also, notably, the first slot 50 can be substantially aligned with and provides additional access to the fingers 82. Once the ring engaging portion 110 of the removal tool 14 has been located atop the ring 24 at the fingers 82, downward force (as viewed in FIG. 4) may be applied by the removal tool 14 at the slit 80 of the ring 24. The downward force of the removal tool 14 encourages the outwardly ramped surfaces 128 of the removal tool 14 to ride along the opposing surfaces of the slit 80 and, therefore, incrementally urge the ring 24 to spread radially outward toward an unlocked position. It is appreciated that sufficient outward clearance exists in the inboard annular groove 46 of the acetabular cup 20 to accommodate initial outward radial movement of the ring 24. Once the ring 24 has flexed radially outward a predetermined amount, the ring 24 can be substantially displaced from the outboard annular groove 62 of the bearing 22.

With the ring 24 still in an outwardly flexed position, the removal tool 14 can then be tilted in a direction counter-clockwise, as viewed in FIGS. 7 and 8. As a result, the bearing engaging surface 120 of the distal end 94 of the removal tool 14 can engage the bearing 22 and exert a prying action (i.e., in a direction toward the rim portion 72) to further encourage the bearing 22 to remove from the acetabular cup 20 (i.e., as illustrated in the sequence from FIG. 7 and FIG. 8). It is important to note that the interaction of the removal tool 14 with the bearing 22 (i.e., at the bearing engaging surface 120) does not substantially deface the bearing 22.

Turning now to FIGS. 10-18, a system 200 for replacing a portion of a hip joint according to additional features is shown. The system 200 can generally include an acetabular cup assembly 202 and a removal tool 204. The acetabular cup assembly 202 can include an acetabular cup 220 a bearing 22, and a ring 24. The acetabular cup 220 can be substantially similar to the acetabular cup 20 described above. The acetabular cup 220 can include a first slot 230 and a cavity 232. The slot 230 and the cavity 232 can be positioned inboard of a continuous rim portion. The cavity 232 can define a terminal surface 234 substantially perpendicular to an upper surface 236 of the slot (FIG. 18). As will be described, the removal tool 204 can be adapted to engage the ring 24 and operatively spread the ring 24 to an unlocked position, and subsequently lift the bearing away from the acetabular cup 220.

With reference now to FIGS. 13 and 14, the removal tool 204 will be described in greater detail. In general, the removal tool 204 can include a longitudinal body 240 having a proximal end 242 and a distal end 244. The proximal end 242 can include a handle 248 disposed thereon. The distal end 244 can include an engaging portion 250. The longitudinal body 240 can define a shaft 252 extending between the handle 248 and the distal end 244.

The distal end 244 can further define an upper portion 254 and a lower portion 256. The lower portion 256 can define a ring engaging portion 260 having a ring engaging surface 262. The ring engaging surface 262 can be further defined by a pair of outwardly ramped surfaces 264 (FIG. 15). The outwardly ramped surfaces 264 can slope generally outward from the lower portion 256 toward the upper portion 254. The upper portion 254 can include a bearing engaging portion 268 having an engagement lip 270 adapted to engage an underside surface 272 (FIG. 18) of the bearing 24.

An exemplary method of removing the ring 24 and the bearing 22 with the removal tool 204 will now be described. With reference to FIG. 12, the acetabular cup assembly 202 is shown with the ring 24 nested within the inboard annular groove 46 of the acetabular cup. The bearing 22 is not shown in FIG. 12 for illustrative purposes but is shown installed in the locked position in FIGS. 17 and 18. As shown, the first slot 230 can be substantially aligned with and provides additional access to the fingers 82.

Once the ring engaging portion 260 of the removal tool 204 has been located atop the ring 24 at the fingers 82, downward force (as viewed in FIG. 10) may be applied by the removal tool 204 at the slit 80 of the ring 24. It is important to note that at this time, the bearing 22 is still in a nested position with the cup 220 (as shown in FIG. 18). The bearing 22 is shown slightly elevated in FIG. 10 simply to shown the interaction between the tool 204 and the ring 24. The downward force of the removal tool 204 encourages the outwardly ramped surfaces 264 of the removal tool 204 to ride along the opposing surfaces of the slit 80 and, therefore, incrementally urge the ring 24 to spread radially outward toward an unlocked position. It is appreciated that sufficient outward clearance exists in the inboard annular groove 46 of the acetabular cup 220 to accommodate initial outward radial movement of the ring 24. Once the ring 24 has flexed radially outward a predetermined amount, the ring 24 can be substantially displaced from the outboard annular groove 62 of the bearing 22.

With the ring 24 still in an outwardly flexed position, the removal tool 204 can then be translated upwardly (as viewed in FIG. 18) along a longitudinal axis of the tool 204. During the upward translation, the engagement lip 270 engages the underside surface 272 of the bearing 22 to lift the bearing 22 away from the cup 220 (FIG. 16). It is appreciated that translation about the longitudinal axis of the tool 204 may be advantageous in such minimally invasive surroundings. In another example, the tool 204 may additionally or alternatively rotate about its longitudinal axis to provide a prying action to the bearing 22.

Turning now to FIG. 19, a system for replacing a portion of a shoulder joint is shown and generally identified at reference numeral 310. The system 310 can generally include a shoulder prosthesis assembly 312 and the removal tool 14. The shoulder prosthesis assembly 312 can include a humeral tray 320, a liner or bearing 322 and a ring 24. While the shoulder prosthesis assembly 312 is illustrated in the drawings as a reverse shoulder prosthesis, other shoulder prostheses are contemplated. As will become appreciated, the ring 24 can be adapted to retain the bearing 322 relative to the humeral tray 320 in a locked position. The removal tool 14 can be adapted to engage the ring 24 and operatively spread the ring 24 to an unlocked position, and subsequently lever the bearing 322 away from the humeral tray 320.

The humeral tray 320 can generally include a platform portion 326 and a stem portion 328. The platform portion 326 can have an upper rim 329. The humeral tray 320 can have a bearing engaging surface 338. The humeral tray 320 may comprise biocompatible metal, such as stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloys, and cobalt chromium alloys. The rim 329 can have a first inner locking portion 340. In the example shown, the first interlocking portion 340 is in the form of tabs 342 radially positioned around the upper rim 329. The tabs 342 can be generally raised relative to the upper rim 329. The platform portion 326 can further define an inboard annular groove 346 formed around the bearing engaging surface 338. The upper rim 329 can further include a slot 350. In one example, the slot 350 can include a ledge or generally planar surface 354 that is transverse to a long axis of the stem portion 328. The humeral tray 320 can have a bone engaging surface 344 having a porous coating.

The bearing 322 will now be described in greater detail. The bearing 322 may be formed of polyethylene or other suitable bearing material. The bearing 322 can generally include an outer tray engaging surface 358 and an inner ball engaging surface 360. An outboard annular groove 362 can be formed around the outer tray engaging surface 358. The outer tray engaging surface 358 can have a generally planar surface, while the inner ball engaging surface 360 can be generally concave. A second inner locking portion 370 can be formed around a rim portion 372 of the bearing 322. In the example shown, the second inner locking portion 370 is in the form of complementary notches 374 defined around the rim portion 372. The first and second inner locking portions 340 and 370 can cooperatively mate in an assembled position (FIG. 20), such that the tabs 342 nest with the notches 374 and, therefore, inhibit rotational motion of the bearing 322 within the humeral tray 320. In the particular example shown, the amount of notches 374 equals the amount of tabs 342. It is appreciated however, that in other examples, the notches 374 may outnumber the tabs 342.

The ring 24 used with the shoulder prosthesis assembly 312 is the same as described above with respect to the acetabular cup assembly 12. Therefore, no further explanation of the ring 24 will be described. As explained, the ring 24 can be adapted to locate within the inboard annular groove 346 of the humeral tray 320. In the locked position, the inboard annular groove 346 of the humeral tray 320 is operable to snapingly receive the ring 24 to secure the bearing 322 to the humeral tray 320. Explained further, the ring 24 can be adapted to partially nest within the inboard annular groove 346 of the humeral tray 320 and, concurrently, partially nest within the outboard annular groove 362 of the bearing 322 in the locked position (FIG. 20). The annular protrusion 84 of the ring 24 can nest within the second slot 352. In this way, the ring 24 may be discouraged from rotating around the platform portion 326 of the humeral tray 320.

An exemplary method of removing the ring 24 and the bearing 322 from the humeral tray 320 using the removal tool 14 will now be described. With initial reference to FIG. 21, the humeral tray 320 is shown with the ring 24 nested within the inboard annular groove 346 of the humeral tray 320 and the bearing 322 secured within the bearing engaging surface 338 of the humeral tray 320 (locked position). As shown, a relief 376 formed in the bearing 322 can provide access to an upper surface of the ring 24 at the pair of fingers 82. Also, notably, the slot 350 can be substantially aligned with and provides additional access to the fingers 82. Once the ring engaging portion 110 of the removal tool 14 has been located atop the ring 24 at the fingers 82, downward force may be applied by the removal tool 14 at the slit 80 of the ring 24. The downward force of the removal tool 14 encourages the outwardly ramped surfaces 128 of the removal tool 14 to ride along the opposing surfaces of the slit 80 and, therefore, incrementally urge the ring 24 to spread radially outward toward an unlocked position (see also the discussion above related to FIG. 4). It is appreciated that sufficient outward clearance exists in the inboard annular groove 346 of the humeral tray 320 to accommodate initial outward radial movement of the ring 24. Once the ring 24 has flexed radially outward a predetermined amount, the ring 24 can be substantially displaced from the outboard annular groove 362 of the bearing 322.

With the ring 24 still in an outwardly flexed position, the removal tool 14 can then be tilted in a direction counter-clockwise, as viewed in FIGS. 21 and 22. As a result, the bearing engaging surface 120 of the distal end 94 of the removal tool 14 can engage the bearing 322 and exert a prying action (i.e., in a direction toward the rim portion 372) to further encourage the bearing 322 to remove from the humeral tray 320 (i.e., as illustrated in the sequence from FIG. 21-23). It is important to note that the interaction of the removal tool 14 with the bearing 322 (i.e., at the bearing engaging surface 120) does not substantially deface the bearing 322.

FIG. 23 illustrates the exemplary reverse shoulder prosthesis assembly 312 cooperating with additional exemplary shoulder prosthesis components including a ball 382, adapter 384, a receiving member 386 and bone screws 388 for implanting relative to a glenoid cavity 390 of a scapula 392.

Turning now to FIGS. 24-30, a system 400 for replacing a portion of a shoulder joint according to additional features is shown. The system 400 can generally include the shoulder prosthesis assembly 312 and the removal tool 204. Additional description of the removal tool 204 is explained above. As will be described, the removal tool 204 can be adapted to engage the ring 24 and operatively spread the ring 24 to an unlocked position, and subsequently lift the bearing 322 away from the humeral tray 320.

An exemplary method of removing the ring 24 and the bearing 322 with the removal tool 204 will now be described. With reference to FIG. 24, the shoulder prosthesis assembly 312 is shown with the ring 24 nested within the inboard annular groove 346 of the humeral tray 320. The bearing 322 is not shown in FIG. 25 for illustrative purposes but is shown installed in the locked position in FIGS. 26 and 27. As shown, the slot 350 can be substantially aligned with and provide additional access to the fingers 82.

Once the ring engaging portion 260 of the removal tool 204 has been located atop the ring 24 at the fingers 82, downward force (as viewed in FIG. 24) may be applied by the removal tool 204 at the slit 80 of the ring 24. It is important to note that at this time, the bearing 322 is still in a nested position with the humeral tray 320 (as shown in FIG. 29). The bearing 322 is shown slightly elevated in FIG. 24 simply to illustrate the interaction between the tool 204 and the ring 24. The downward force of the removal tool 204 encourages the outwardly ramped surfaces 264 of the removal tool 204 to ride along the opposing surfaces of the slit 80 and, therefore, incrementally urge the ring 24 to spread radially outward toward an unlocked position. It is appreciated that sufficient outward clearance exists in the inboard annular groove 346 of the humeral tray 320 to accommodate initial outward radial movement of the ring 24. Once the ring 24 has flexed radially outward a predetermined amount, the ring 24 can be substantially displaced from the outboard annular groove 362 of the bearing 322.

With the ring 24 still in an outwardly flexed position (FIG. 27), the removal tool 204 can then be translated upwardly (as illustrated in FIGS. 28 and 30) along a longitudinal axis of the tool 204. In one example, the removal tool 204 can be translated along an axis A that is substantially parallel to an axis B defined through the stem portion 328. Explained differently, the tool 204 can be translated along the axis A in a direction that is substantially transverse to the upper rim 329. During the upward translation, the engagement lip 270 engages an underside surface 380 of the bearing 322 to lift the bearing 322 away from the humeral tray 320 (FIG. 30). It is appreciated that translation about the longitudinal axis of the tool 204 may be advantageous in such minimally invasive surroundings. In another example, the tool 204 may additionally or alternatively rotate about its longitudinal axis to provide a prying action to the bearing 322.

While the disclosure has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, the mixing and matching of features, elements and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that features, elements and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise above. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include any embodiments falling within the foregoing description and the appended claims. 

1. A method for removing a bearing that is coupled to a prosthetic implant by a ring, the method comprising: advancing a distal end of a removal tool in a first direction into a slit formed in the ring such that the ring expands radially from engagement with the bearing at a locked position to an unlocked position; advancing the distal end of the removal tool in a second direction such that the removal tool engages the bearing; and continuing the advancing of the distal end of the removal tool in the second direction such that the removal tool urges the bearing away from the prosthetic implant.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein advancing the distal end of the removal tool in the first direction further comprises: slidably advancing a pair of converging sloped surfaces formed on the distal end of the removal tool along opposing surfaces of the ring at the slit.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein advancing the distal end of the removal tool in the second direction further comprises: moving an engagement lip formed on the distal end of the removal tool into contact with an underside surface of the bearing.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein further advancing the distal end of the removal tool in the second direction further comprises: imparting a force onto the underside of the bearing with the engagement lip.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second directions are opposite.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein advancing the distal end of the removal tool further comprises: locating the distal end of the removal tool into a slot formed on an upper rim of the prosthetic implant and onto a ramped surface formed on the prosthetic implant.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the removal tool includes a shaft that extends at an angle relative to the distal end, the method further comprising: rotating the removal tool along an axis of the shaft such that a prying action is imparted onto the bearing.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the prosthetic implant comprises an acetabular cup.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein the prosthetic implant comprises a humeral tray.
 10. A method for removing a bearing that is coupled to a prosthetic implant by a ring, the method comprising: advancing a distal end of a removal tool in a first direction into a slit formed in the ring such that converging ramped surfaces on the distal end of the removal tool engage and expand the ring radially from engagement with the bearing at a locked position to an unlocked position; further advancing the distal end of the removal tool in the first direction to position at least a portion of the distal end of the removal tool into a slot formed on an upper rim of the prosthetic implant at a location beneath the ring; advancing the distal end of the removal tool in a second direction such that the removal tool engages the bearing; and continuing the advancing of the distal end of the removal tool in the second direction such that the removal tool urges the bearing away from the prosthetic implant.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein advancing the distal end of the removal tool in the second direction further comprises: moving an engagement lip formed on the distal end of the removal tool into contact with an underside surface of the bearing.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein further advancing the distal end of the removal tool in the second direction further comprises: imparting a force onto the underside of the bearing with the engagement lip.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the first and second directions are opposite.
 14. The method of claim 10 wherein advancing the distal end of the removal tool further comprises: locating the distal end of the removal tool onto a ramped surface formed on the prosthetic implant and leveraging the tool against the ramped surface of the prosthetic implant while engaging the bearing.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the removal tool includes a shaft that extends at an angle relative to the distal end, the method further comprising: rotating the removal tool along an axis of the shaft such that a prying action is imparted onto the bearing.
 16. The method of claim 10 wherein the prosthetic implant comprises an acetabular cup.
 17. The method of claim 10 wherein the prosthetic implant comprises a humeral tray.
 18. A method for removing a bearing that is coupled to a prosthetic implant by a ring, the method comprising: advancing a distal end of a removal tool in a first direction and into engagement with opposing surfaces of the ring; slidably advancing converging ramped surfaces on the distal end of the removal tool along the opposing surfaces of the ring such that the ring is expanded radially from engagement with the bearing at a locked position to an unlocked position; further advancing the distal end of the removal tool in the first direction to position at least a portion of the distal end of the removal tool into a slot formed on an upper rim of the prosthetic implant at a location beneath the ring; moving the distal end of the removal tool into engagement with the bearing; and retracting the distal end of the removal tool from the slot such that the removal tool urges the bearing away from the prosthetic implant.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein moving the distal end of the removal tool further comprises: moving an engagement lip formed on the distal end of the removal tool into contact with an underside surface of the bearing; and imparting a force onto the underside of the bearing with the engagement lip.
 20. The method of claim 18 wherein the prosthetic implant comprises one of an acetabular cup and humeral bearing. 